Happy Holidays

Thanks to all my students. I wish you the best in the coming year. Thank you for sharing your writing with me.

I recently had an essay read on St. Louis on the air - KWMU 90.7. Some of you had asked about my writing, so if you want to check it out, it aired on the December 21st show about the This I Believe essays. You can listen online if you have an audio player on your computer.

Have a great holiday.

Featured Poet Nikki

I like the use of the rhyming couplets and the slight difference the burn/yearns rhyme creates in the rhythm in Nikki's poem. The sadness and sense of longing are clear.

W I D O W

The alarm sounds
Buzz buzz
No one is around

Shall I get out of bed?
Oh, how I dread
Living my life
As a lonely wife.

I peel the sheets
Right off my feet.
And hop in the shower
I still have no power.

My heart burns
With the yearn
For just one more
Dance on the floor.

I’m all alone;
Nobody is home.
Gone is he
Who used to love me.

I carry on
As if he’s not gone.
But I know deep down
That he’s nowhere to be found.

The ache, the agony,
The wretched memory
Of how we used to be.


Nikki also wrote this poem about someone special to her:

S R K – The Lost Angel

Came into this world
A beautiful little girl.
Lived happily till eight
Then hate
Set in.

Goes on with her life
Not knowing the knife
That’s digging at her heart
Will bring us apart

She does love us
So what’s all the fuss?
Her world’s in shambles;
Every day is a gamble.

Came into this world
A beautiful little girl.
Lived happily til eight
Won’t you find your fate?

Due the Week of December 11 & Test Review

Tonight we will take our final exam for Literature. You are still allowed your book or notes, so be sure to bring them.

Test Review
1. Be able to explain the elements of short fiction in detail.

2. Be able to extensively explain three ways poets construct their poems. (Information is in the chapter on a poet's means)

3. Know the elements of drama and how drama differs from short fiction and poetry.

All papers must be turned in tonight unless you have an approved incomplete.

Students who have revised failing papers should include the first paper graded, and a note on the changes that have been made.

Bring a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want your papers back after class concludes. Put your address as the return address on the envelope.

Featured Poet Harold

I love the way Harold mimics the lyrics and rhythm of several songs in this creative poem. See if you can figure out the songs he used.He created this poem after reading this National Geographic article.

Rock N Roll Hero

Day and night I rock and roll
But not like Jimmy in the 60’s
I. E. D. came for me
Now I lack symmetry

This ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco,
this ain’t no Vietnam.
Kevlar helmet for my talking head
Beware the roadside bomb

When you meet me, greet me,
with sympathy, and some taste.
I’m not the devil, I’m a hero.
Hope you guess my name

Gratefully dead I’m not
Honor me just the same

Featured Poet Alicia

Alicia wrote this poem about her life with her two dogs. I love the line about them being a mirror of each other and the metaphor of their ears as "careless wings" when they hang their heads out the window. Excellent imagery.

Kids Without A Voice

Kids without a voice

Look close as peering thru the door

Slight chance of a stretch or yawn
Quiet dust lay all around to be seen
Shake or dance could be the move
Sheets embrace their bodies
Hurry hurry want to be me
Where are you now invisible voice
Woof woof scratch thru hair
As if walking on clouds displaced grace
The two small ones are mirrors of a love affair
Will you wait for me to lend a kiss
Face out the window ears careless wings
Valley’s affection eyes over eyes round butterflies
Creeping floors who’s at the door?
Turning key
Oh, it’s just me
Safe safe sleep sleep

Our Class's Poems Featured

I loved the poems everyone wrote. The Tuesday class had the great idea that I put them on the blog. So if you send me your poem as a word document attached to an email, I will feature one poet per blog entry in the order I receive them.

So share your deep thoughts with the world and let your family and friends peer into your soul!

P.S. - If any of my preblog students are reading the blog, this invitation is open to you also. We've have many great poems over the years, so send them in. Include your first name, and the season and year you took the course. I will only put your first name unless you give me permission to use both your first and last.

Class Reminder - Due the week of December 4th

We are down to the last two weeks!

This week:
Oral Presentation on your Poet
Turn in either your journals 9-12 or your Literature Paper - Your choice
Bring the poem you wrote. We will be reading them in class.

Remember I must have all assignments turned in by the last class. I will not accept assignments after the last class has concluded unless you have applied for an incomplete and been approved.

Bring a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want me to mail back the last assignment you turn in. Put your address as the return address so if the postage is insufficient, it will still get to you.